Kathleen to Zephyrhills North

Duke Energy is planning to build an approximate 13-mile long transmission line from our existing Kathleen substation, in Polk County, to our Zephyrhills North substation, in Pasco County. This line is needed to enhance reliability and to handle increased energy use in the area.

Duke Energy has an existing 230-kilovolt (kV) line in the area; however, this second line is needed for redundancy and reliability. Federal reliability standards from the North American Electric Reliability Council will not allow us to build the line as a double circuit along any portion of the existing path.

In selecting a preferred route, the company balances many factors such as community input, environmental impacts, land use, engineering requirements, safety, cost, and reliability. A deliberate and thoughtful process is utilized involving intensive research of alternative routes to select an option that has the least impact on the community and the environment.

This line will enhance reliability, handle increased electricity demand and will better serve homes, businesses and schools in the area. The line will also provide critical electric service and backup for Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC) and Tampa Electric Company (TECO). Between 2005 and 2009, electricity use in eastern Pasco County grew by 34 percent for Duke Energy customers. The line will benefit approximately 40,000 utility customers in eastern Pasco and northern Polk counties by providing redundant system reliability and preventing overload conditions.

Construction on the project is scheduled to begin in fall 2012, with completion expected in fall 2013.

Duke Energy held an informational meeting about this project on June 28, 2001, in Zephyrhills, Fla.

Contact

If you have questions about the project, please email us or call 877-840-0101.